Page
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8

Hi Group,

Here are the latest pictures from Rupert, who's getting pretty impatient to fly, with no news of Anna's return yet. Looks like he's nearly going for it here! I'm not sure how much longer he'll be able to contain himself :0).

We'll keep you informed!

Rupert loses his hat!

Hi Group,

Rupert's Fitzer has flown.

Pete Kinsey, Bearcat, Tigercat, Spitfire, Yak, Mustang, Messerschmitt, pilot, etc., etc., flew it twice today. Very gently with careful manoeuvres, and was completely happy with it, even the rudder which is perfectly adequate. He did some wing overs and tight reverse turns. With full fuel it was averaging 700 fpm and was airborne in 7 seconds. Controls are very light and powerful and ground handling is straightforward.

I was grand to see the winter sunlight glinting on its cowlings, silver wings and varnished fuselage as it manoeuvred overhead.

Photographs will follow!

Hi Group,

Rupert, Ian Wasey, Anna Walker (who was recovering from a virus - which is why she didn't fly), Pete Kynsey and some others were intending to celebrate the successful maiden flight of G-ERIW in a local hostelry. Jim had already cracked open a bottle of champagne on the airfield, in time honoured fashion. I had a frozen wife to take home, so I didn't hang about after we'd put the aeroplane to bed, but Rupert should be in condition to reply to emails by tomorrow morning.

I am attaching a picture of Pete Kynsey about to commit aviation. My camera evidently failed to record the actual event. However two other photographers with telephoto lenses were present so we should see decent pictures soon.

Best regards,

Proof!	Second Take Off

Just fantastic. The sense of achievement could not be bettered. Talk about realising dreams...

More soon.

Rupert at the controls.	Rupert Overhead

Yesterday afternoon (Sunday) the weather turned favourable and with my name on the permit to test the time had come.

Mike Dentith, a professional display pilot with the Super-Stearman wing walking team took it up first for a fifteen minuet-er, and soon felt relaxed in it - I could tell because he beat up the hanger at 10 foot! After landing he told me he absolutely loves it, far more than he was expecting, thought the handling was just great and had to fight the temptation not to slow roll!

Anyway I ordered him out of the cockpit for having too much fun and jumped in myself, started the engine, gave it full gas and was airborne myself.

Putting aside the incredible pride of flying an aeroplane I have built myself, the aeroplane is absolutely fantastic. Not that I have ever doubted it but the aeroplane does handle as well as Lynn has always said. Stick forces are very light, roll rate is fast, pitch is stunning too. The aeroplane is easy to fly but that does not mean it is the least bit boring, the controls are crisp and immediate, inspiring confidence in the aircraft very quickly, I soon found myself zooming and looning about feeling as if I have been flying the type for years.

I tried a wings level, gradual power off stall, I got the stick to the back stop just as the nose gently nodded down at an indicated 40 mph, no sign of wanting to drop a wing. Very little rudder input is necessary to keep the aircraft balanced when entering and exiting gentle turns, not much more than just a little toe pressure.

I performed a straight in power on approach. Sitting up in the cockpit I can see the strip over the nose at 60 mph, using my peripheral vision as I entered the flair. Again the landing seemed easy and forgiving and I settled it into a nice three pointer, touching down gently without a bounce with the stick on the back stop. First flight was a blinding success and 20 mins long.

My second flight was for 45 mins and I flew from the strip, Calcot, to my home town of Cheltenham. Then back to the strip before heading towards Stroud, buzzing two friend's country houses on the way, one friend got a good ground to air pic as I swooped him - it needs to be reduced in size then will be posted...

I cannot over impress how nice this aeroplane is to fly, precise, smooth, crisp, sharp and easy.

If you have not yet started to build a Flitzer but are considering doing so I think you should get on with it now as a life-priority. It takes years to build one and since life is so short and doing so is an incredible achievement it has to be done. Do it,I promise you will love it. I'm leaving for the strip now for more...

	Page
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8